3 American citizens among injured

WASHINGTON (AP) — At least three Americans were injured in a series of terrorist attacks in India that President Bush condemned as "despicable acts."

The United States sent an investigative team late Thursday.

The State Department urged Americans not to travel to the stricken city of Mumbai for at least 48-72 hours, as U.S. officials checked with Indian authorities and hospitals to learn more about the extent of casualties.

A U.S. investigative team was heading to Mumbai on Thursday evening, a State Department official said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the U.S. and Indian governments were still working out final details. The official declined to identify which agency or agencies the team members came from.

Department spokesman Robert McInturff said he could not identify those injured, but The Associated Press learned the name of one victim. Andi Varagon of Nashville, Tenn., called her mother from a hospital Thursday and said she had been shot in the arm and leg while eating dinner at the Taj Mahal Palace and Tower hotel.

Another Tennessee woman traveling with her was also injured, but her name was not immediately available, the mother, Celeste Varagon, told the AP.

Two members of the Faber, Va.-based Synchronicity Foundation who traveled to India to participate in a spiritual program are missing, said group spokeswoman Bobbie Garvey.

Alan Scherr, 58, and his daughter, Naomi Scherr, 13, both live and work at the foundation south of Charlottesville.

"Our Indian contacts there have gone to all the hospitals, but they haven't located Alan or Naomi yet," Garvey said. "We're very hopeful they'll be found safe."

Four members of the 25-person group — two Americans and two Canadians — who were staying at the Oberoi Hotel were wounded by gunfire, and were believed to be in stable condition, Synchronicity said in a statement.

McInturff said that U.S. officials also have called American citizens who registered with the U.S. consulate there. He also said the U.S. government has no information that any U.S. citizens died in the attacks.

"We have a lot of dual citizens who travel a lot," he said. "We have activated a phone tree. We're taking names of those we have and see who they know."

President-elect Barack Obama spoke by telephone with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Thursday for an update and also received several intelligence briefings.

In addition to urging Americans to stay away from Mumbai, the State Department issued a travel alert for all of India through Dec. 31.

"Americans appear to have been among those specifically targeted. U.S. citizens should exercise caution and take prudent security measures, including maintaining a high level of vigilance, avoiding crowds and demonstrations, keeping a low profile, varying times and routes for all travel, and ensuring travel documents are current," the alert warned.

Earlier Thursday, President Bush expressed condolences to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in a phone call at his Camp David, Md., mountaintop retreat.

Authorities in India said Thursday at least 100 people were killed and at least 300 injured when suspected Islamic militants attacked 10 sites in Mumbai.

"President Bush spoke this morning by telephone" to Singh, press secretary Dana Perino said, saying Bush wanted to express "solidarity with the people of India" in the wake of Wednesday's attacks.

Perino said that Bush offered Singh support as he works to restore order in the populous and growing Southwest Asian nation.

"The president offered support and assistance to the government of India as it works to restore order, provide safety to its people and comfort to the victims and their families and investigate these despicable acts," Perino said in a statement.

The White House and State Department both initially issued statements Wednesday denouncing the attacks by teams of heavily armed gunmen who stormed luxury hotels, a popular tourist attraction, hospitals and a crowded train station in a series of attacks, killing scores of people, wounding hundreds and taking hostages.

Perino said Wednesday that the National Security Council convened officials from U.S. counterterrorism and intelligence agencies as well as the State and Defense departments to monitor the situation, "including the safety and security of our citizens, and stands ready to assist and support the Indian government."

The Justice Department said the FBI was monitoring the situation closely and was prepared to offer assistance if Indian authorities asked for it but said it had not yet received such a request.

The State Department set up a call center for Americans concerned about family members who may be in Mumbai. The number is 1-888-407-4747.

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